My first quilt was a nine-patch and I had no idea how to FMQ (still struggling with it like you). I used the embroidery feature on my machine to put a feather medallion/wreath in the center of each of the plain blocks and did stitch in the ditch in the nine patches. Sorry I don't have time right now to post a pic, but the quilt is on display above my bed and everyone is wowed by my quilting "ability"!